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sarahb919's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual content, Death, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Violence, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Animal death, Self harm, Bullying, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Ableism, Colonisation, Gore, and Stalking
Minor: Classism, Suicide, Eating disorder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
moodreadererin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Homophobia and Animal death
justinekorson's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
This was a very surprising story. Told in three POV's (the same POV's?? they're the same souls who keep being reincarnated) this was an incredible read that blended different timelines into one. I was excited and anxious to read each new part. I enjoyed trying to connect their past lives with their present lives before the story itself told us who was who. (I still ended up being wrong though). I was so intrigued by each chapter and wept a little over its very sad end. I had so much hope for River and Joey in their present life but apparently it wasn't meant to be. I also felt really bad for Calvin in this story who sounded like a really good person who genuinely loved River.
I know this isn't the final version of the book and that the actual final draft is much longer so I'm excited to read the physical book (which I've already bought a copy of) and meet the author (I'm going to do this at an event soon). I'm going to have so much fun reading over the story again and I can't wait!!
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Death of parent, Blood, Body horror, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Animal death, Cancer, Toxic relationship, Drug use, and Gaslighting
izzyrbell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Sexual content and Drug use
Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer, Animal death, Mental illness, and Death of parent
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Told from three perspectives, we see the characters journey through three reincarnations with you guessing a bit on who's who and why. With masterful storytelling, the narrative is addictive and heady, fitting the toxicity and greediness of the romances well.
I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say that this story was fast-paced, full of both budding romance and toxic love, a little mysterious, and a bit magical. Some character arcs surprised and dazzled me, while others felt like a betrayal (in the best kinds of ways). This book didn't feel like a debut, especially because of the writing. The Emperor and the Endless Palace is so well-crafted, and the stories so intricately tied to each other, that you won't want to look away!
TW: sexual content, death, injury detail, alcohol consumption, infidelity, sexual assault, drug use, drug abuse, homophobia, animal death (not dog), ableism; mentions rape, death of a parent, cancer, vomit
Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
eBook gifted via Edelweiss by MIRA via HarperCollins Canada in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Drug use, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Sexual content, Drug abuse, Ableism, Homophobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Vomit and Alcoholism
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent, and Rape
booksdogsandcoffee's review
4.0
Huang knocked it out of the park with his debut novel.
For fans of Addie LaRue and Song of Achilles, this one is for you. A gorgeous look at betrayal, love through reincarnation, Asian history/culture, and queerness. This will be, without a doubt, one of my top reads this year.
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Blood, Drug use, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Classism and Rape
Minor: Death of parent and Animal death
ezwolf's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was a fun surprise to realize this was based on the origin of the term “cut sleeve”. It isn’t mentioned in the synopsis but a scene about halfway through made me realize and subsequently Google it.
I loved how each incarnation of River and Joey were so different but also so similar. The whole idea of, I loved you (was betrayed by you) so much that we’re reborn over and over, repeating our story, trying to right a wrong. River's sister was a fantastic character and even though the focus of the story was on River and Joey, I would have loved to have seen more of her.
I think my biggest grievance was with the sex scenes. Sex scenes are not a problem on their own, but I felt like they were the worst written parts. Most of the scenes in the first half of the book seemed kind of unintentionally comical to me and continuously and abruptly brought me out of the story. There's a definite tone shift that happens about midway through and they lose the comical edge, but that only helped a little.
I highly recommend checking content warnings for this book. It just skirted the edge of what I am okay reading.
Thank you to NetGalley for making this available in exchange for an honest review!
Graphic: Blood, Death, Sexual content, Classism, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Body horror, Mental illness, and Animal death
Minor: Abandonment, Ableism, Medical content, Death of parent, Vomit, and Cancer